Fiordland Marine Amateur Regulations 2022-23

DECISION: APPROVED

Introduction

In October 2021 the Fiordland Marine Guardians wrote to the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, David Parker, proposing spatial and bag limit changes to recreational fishing rules in the Fiordland Marine Area.

The Fiordland Marine Area starts at Awarua Point, expanding down to the eastern bank of the Waiau River in the south, the area encompasses multiple fiords which have unique biodiversity. Fishing in the area is weather-dependent and can be a costly venture due to lack of access points.

In August 2022 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) issued a notice advising the Minister had received the application. Submissions in response to the application were due with FNZ by 12 September 2022.

On 18 July 2023 FNZ advised the Minister had agreed to the daily and combined limits for finfish and shellfish species recommended by the Fiordland Marine Guardians. Limits for individual species will be advised and notified later.

Proposal

The Fiordland Marine Guardian proposals included change to increase the size of the zones that have more restrictive limits from the designated Internal Waters of Fiordland (Habitat Lines) to lines that extend across the natural headland seaward entrances of each fiord.

Proposals also included reductions in finfish, shellfish and rock lobster daily bag limits and changes to accumulation limits.

Submission

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea, the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association and New Zealand Underwater Association to develop a submission in response to the Fiordland Marine Guardian’s proposals.

We did not support establishing the proposed “Fishing lines” across the natural headlands of the Fiords, or the proposed catch reductions for the inner Fiords. A blanket application of restrictions designed for the low productivity areas inside the Habitat Lines, to the high productivity outer Fiords to address some areas of localised depletion is not an acceptable solution, and would endanger fishers who would have to travel further to catch less fish for a feed.

Our joint submission emphasised the need to identify areas where localised depletion is occurring, to implement localised spatial management tools instead.

Relevant information

2023

Advice and Decision

2022

Submissions

Proposal

2005

Fiordland Marine Management Act 2005